Animal lectins: potential receptors for ginseng polysaccharides

Abstract

Panax ginseng Meyer, belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae, is known for its human immune system-related effects, such as immune-boosting effects. Ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) are the responsible ingredient of ginseng in immunomodulation, and are classified as acidic and neutral GPs. Although GPs participate in various immune reactions including the stimulation of immune cells and production of cytokines, the precise function of GPs together with its potential receptor(s) and their signal transduction pathways have remained largely unknown. Animal lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are highly specific for sugar moieties. Among many different biological functions in vivo, animal lectins especially play important roles in the immune system by recognizing carbohydrates that are found exclusively on pathogens or that are inaccessible on host cells. This review summarizes the immunological activities of GPs and the diverse roles of animal lectins in the immune system, suggesting the possibility of animal lectins as the potential receptor candidates of GPs and giving insights into the development of GPs as therapeutic biomaterials for many immunological diseases.

Biological Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Polysaccharides in Aged Rat Using Global Proteomic Approach

“…Furthermore, polysaccharides stimulate the dendritic-cell-enhancing production of interferon-γ, thereby promoting the production of cytotoxic cells against tumors. The present study also reported that KRG polysaccharides enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages, which was consistent with our analysis [ 28 , 29 ].…”

An acidic polysaccharide (AGC3) isolated from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) suspension culture as a potential immunomodulatory nutraceutical

“…Different classes of plant polysaccharides including glucans, mannans, pectins, arabinogalactans, galactans, fructans and xylans have shown promising immunomodulatory activity in vitro and in vivo ( Ferreira et al., 2015 ). These compounds can bind to cell surface receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) and C-type lectins on monocytes and macrophages triggering an innate immune response ( Ferreira et al., 2015 ; Schepetkin and Quinn, 2006 ; Loh et al., 2017 ). The induction of innate immune response leads to several coordinated processes such as production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines, enhanced phagocytosis, chemokinesis and chemotaxis ( Schepetkin and Quinn, 2006 ).…”

Bioactive lipids in gintonin-enriched fraction from ginseng

“…Acidic polysaccharides were identified next. They consist of a complex polymer chain of monosaccharides rich in l -arabinose, d -galactose, l -rhamnose, d -galacturonic acid, d -glucuronic acid, and d -galactosyl residue linked together through glycosidic bonds, resulting in complex macromolecular architectures [5]. Although the structures of acidic polysaccharides are not clearly understood, it is known that they regulate immune systems [5].…”